Power rake

ABSTRACT

A mobile power rake for use in lawns, gardens, and the like comprises a frame having a rake portion extending forwardly therefrom and a handle portion extending rearwardly from said frame and power driven ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on the frame and in vertical spaced relation below the rake portion and a roller mounted on and in depending relation to the handle portion and spaced rearwardly from the wheels and in vertical spaced relation above the wheels whereby the rake portion is spaced above a ground surface when the roller is in engagement with the ground surface. A material receiving receptacle is mounted on the frame and has an entrance adjacent the rake portion for receiving debris from the rake portion.

atent 1 11] 3,79,590 [451 Feb. 5, 1974 1 POWER RAKE Elinor M. Wilson,4137 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo. 64110 [22] Filed: Aug. 7, 1972 [21] Appl.No.: 278,563

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 56/l4.7, 56/167, 56/344, 15/79 [51] Km. Cl A0111 51/00 [58]Field of Search 15/78, 79, 93 R; 56/l4.7, 16.4, 56/166, 16.7, 31, 32,30, 12.8, 202, 199, 344

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,125,844 3/1964 Beyer56/l6.4 1,020,838 3/1912 Neer.....

3,408,801 11/1968 Kroll 56/199 Primary ExaminerRussell R. KinseyAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishburn, Gold & Litman [5 7] TRACT A mobilepower rake for use in lawns, gardens, and the like comprises a framehaving a rake portion extending forwardly therefrom and a handle portionextending rearwardly from said frame and power driven ground engagingwheels rotatably mounted on the frame and in vertical spaced relationbelow the rake portion and a roller mounted on and in depending relationto the handle portion and spaced rearwardly from the wheels and invertical spaced relation above the wheels whereby the rake portion isspaced above a ground surface when the roller is in engagement with theground surface. A material receiving receptacle is mounted on the frameand has an entrance adjacent the rake portion for receiving debris fromthe rake portion.

5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUFEB 3.789.590

' SHEU 3 0F 4 rowan RAKE The present invention relates to rakes and moreparticularly to a mobile power rake for use in lawns, gardens and thelike.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide aself-propelled power rake for individual use in lawns, gardens, and thelike and having desirable features not available in other rakes; toprovide such a self-propelled power rake which is easy to control andrequires only guiding when in operation; to provide such a power rakefor cleaning lawns, gardens, flowerbeds, and the like and which removesweeks, dead grass, lawn-cuttings, leaves, debris, and the like evenafter same have become matted and heavy with moisture; to provide such apower rake which is adapted to prepare soil for seeding and for a gardenand which is particularly well adapted to break up soil and smooth andlevel same; to provide such a power rake having a material receivingreceptacle with means operatively connected thereto for effecting a flowof air into the receptacle thereby moving debris thereinto and havingchangeable inserts or containers adapted to be removably mounted withinthe receptacle; and to provide such a self-propelled power rake which iseconomical to manufacture, durable in construction, positive inoperation, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features of the power rake.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power rake embodying features of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the power rake.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a power rake having material receivingmeans thereon.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the power rake having material receivingmeans thereon.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the power rake having materialreceiving means thereon and showing an alternate position in brokenlines.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the power rake having materialreceiving means thereon.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken online 77, FIG. 4 and showing details of the material receiving means.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an other form of the power rake having aremovable rake portion.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the power rake shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an other form of aremovable rake portion.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms, therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as the basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the referencenumeral 1 generally designates a mobile and self-propelled power rakefor use in lawns, gardens, and the like. The mobile power rake lincludes a frame 2 having a rake portion 3 extending forwardly from theframe 2 and a handle portion 4 extending rearwardly from the frame 2 anda motor 5 mounted on the frame 2 and operatively connected to groundengaging wheels 6 and 7 which are rotatably mounted on the frame 2 andin vertical spaced relation below the rake portion 3 and the handleportion 41 and a roller 8 mounted on and in depending relation to thehandle portion 4 and spaced rearwardly from the wheels 6 and 7 and invertical spaced relation above a ground engaging surface of each of thewheels 6 and 7 whereby the rake portion 3 is spaced above a groundsurface 9 when the roller 8 is in engagement with the ground surface 9.

The frame 2 may be any desired construction which is suitable to supportthe rake portion 3, handle portion 4, motor 5, and the wheels 6 and 7.In the illustrated structure, the frame 2 is generally rectangular andhas a planar top member 12 with laterally spaced side portions 14 andlongitudinally spaced end portions 13 each depending from the top memberl2 thereby defining the periphery of the frame 2. The top member 12 hasan opening 15 therein, for a purpose later described.

The wheels 6 and 7 provide first ground engaging means and may berotatably mounted on the frame 2 in any suitable manner and the wheels 6and 7 may be driven by any suitable power means. In the illustratedstructure, an axle 16 is positioned below the top member 12 and has theopposite end portions thereof extending through the respective endportions 14- and suitably rotatably supported thereon, as in suitablebearings (not shown). The wheels 6 and 7 are suitably secured torespective opposite end portions of the axle 16 and are preferablyspaced from respective end portions 14 of the frame 2. The wheels 6 and7 have peripheral ground engaging surfaces 117 and 18 respectively,which are adapted to effect movement of the power rake ll along theground surface 9.

The motor 5 may be any suitable unit adapted to drive the wheels 6 and7, however, the motor 5 is preferably an electric reversible motor andhas a suitable gear reduction unit 19 operatively connected thereto andwhich is operative to effect rotation of a driven shaft 20 extendingfrom the gear reduction unit 19. The driven shaft 20 is operativelyconnected to the axle 16 by suitable motion transmitting means tothereby effect rotation of the axle l6 and the wheels 6 and 7.

In the illustrated structure, a suitable pulley 21 is mounted on thedriven shaft 20 and a suitable endless belt 22 is in operativeengagement with the pulley 21 on the driven shaft 20 and a suitablepulley (not shown) secured on the axle 16 whereby the operation of themotor 5 effects rotation of the wheels 6 and 7.

It is preferable to control operation of the motor 5, therefore, asuitable lever 23 is supported on the handle portion 4 and isoperatively connected to the motor 5 for selecting the direction ofrotation of the driven shaft 20. The lever 23 is mounted on a suitablehousing 24 having therein a suitable switch (not shown) electricallyconnected, as by a cord 25, to the motor 5.

The lever 23 preferably has an off position, a forward position, aneutral position, and a reverse position to thereby select the directionof travel of the power rake 1.

The illustrated motor 5 is electrically connected to a suitable sourceof electrical power, such as 120 v. house current, as by a cord 26. Itis desirable to support and retain the cords and 26 in a position abovethe wheels 6 and 7 and above the roller 8, therefore, a suitable cordsupport 27 is mounted on the handle portion 4 and the cords 25 and 26extend therethrough.

The rake portion 3 extends forwardly from the frame 2 and may be of anysuitable construction adapted to clean lawns, gardens, and the like andto prepare soil for seeding and for gardens. The rake portion 3 isillustrated as a generally U-shaped member having arms 28 and 29extending forwardly from respective ends of the frame 2 and having aconnecting member 30 extending between forward ends of the arms 28 and29. The connecting member 30 has a plurality of spaced teeth or tines 31depending therefrom and adapted to engage the ground surface 9 and movedebris, such as dead grass, weeds, grass-cuttings, leaves, and the like,along the ground surface 9 when the power rake l is moved thereover.

The rake portion 3 is preferably fixedly mounted on the frame 2,however, rear ends of the arms 28 and 29 may be removably mounted on theframe 2 whereby a plurality of types of rake portions may be providedand used with the mobile power rake l as interchangeable attachmentstherefor and including rake portions having I substantially rigid teethor tines, flexible tines, blade-like teeth or tines, curved tines,straight tines, and the like.

The handle portion 4 is suitably secured to the frame 2 and extendsgenerally rearwardly therefrom. The handle portion 4 may be any desiredconfiguration, however, in the illustrated structure, a pair of arms 32and 33 each have one end thereof secured to the frame 2 and positionedadjacent a respective opposite end of the frame 2 and the illustratedarms 32 and 33 are upperwardly and rearwardly converging and have upperend portions 34 and 35 in facing engagement and suitably securedtogether, as by bolts. The illustrated handle portion 4 includesgripping portions 36 and 37 extending laterally outwardly from the endportions 34 and 35 respectively and adapted to be held by the hands ofan operator (not shown).

The roller 8 provides second ground engaging means and may be in theform illustrated or the second ground engaging means may be a singlewheel or a pair of spaced wheels.

The roller 8 is illustrated as an elongated tubular member rotatablysupported on a generally U-shaped member mounted on and depending fromthe handle portion 4 and in the illustrated structure, the U-shapedmember is defined by generally upright portions 38 and 39 having theupper ends thereof suitably secured to the arms 32 and 33 respectively,as by welding, and an axle portion 40 extending between lower ends ofthe upright portions 38 and 39 and the roller 8 is sleeved thereon. Itis preferable to provide suitable bearings (not shown) within thetubular roller 8 and in engagement with the axle portion 40 therebyrotatably supporting the roller 8 on the axle portion 40.

in using a power rake constructed as illustrated and described, thepower rake 1 is moved to a desired location either by operation of themotor 5 and the wheels 6 and 7 or first ground engaging means or bytilting the power rake 1 such that the weight thereof is supported onthe roller 8 or second ground engaging means during movement of thepower rake 1 to the desired location. When the teeth or tines 31 of theselected rake portion 3 are in the desired location, the lever 23 isadjusted to effect closing of a suitable switch (not shown) andcompletion of a circuit to the motor 5 and thereby rotating the wheels 6and 7 to effect reverse movement of the power rake 1. After the desiredraking movement is completed, the lever 23 may be moved to a neutralposition or to a forward position to permit the power rake 1 to be movedto the next desired location whereupon the lever 23 is again moved to aposition effecting reverse movement of the power rake 1. An alternatemethod of using the power rake l is to position the lever 23 in aposition effecting reverse rotation of the wheels 6 and 7 and depressingthe handle portion 4 thereby placing the weight of the power rake 1 onthe roller 8 and moving the ground engaging surfaces 17 and 18 of thewheels 6 and 7 out of engagement with the ground surface 9 therebypermitting maneuvering of the power rake l as desired as shown in brokenlines in FIG. 5. The power rake 1 may be moved forwardly when supportedon the roller 8 only and moved in the reverse direction by operation ofthe wheels 6 and 7 when the handle portion 4 is raised to permit thewheels 6 and 7 to engage the ground surface 9 and the teeth or tines 31to engage the ground surface 9 to effect raking thereof.

FIGS. 3 to 7 inclusive illustrate an additional feature of the powerrake 1 wherein a material receiving receptacle is suitably mounted onthe frame 2 and has an entrance 51 adjacent the rake portion 3 forreceiving debris from the rake portion 3.

The illustrated receptacle 50 has a bottom wall 52 adapted to beadjacent the ground surface 9 when the teeth or tines 31 are inengagement with the ground surface 9. Opposed side walls 53 and 54extend upwardly from the bottom wall 52 and have suitable means thereonfor mounting on the arms 28 and 29 of the rake portion 3. A rear wall 55extends upwardly from the bottom wall 52 and preferably has suitablemeans thereon for mounting on or connection to the top member 12 of theframe 2.

It is desirable that the debris moving through the entrance 51 beretained within the receptacle 50, therefore, a support or tie member 56extends between forward ends of the side walls 53 and 54 and ispositioned adjacent respective upper edges thereof. A lid 57 is mountedon the rear wall 55, as by suitable hinges 58, for movement between anopen position and a position closing the receptacle 50. The illustratedlid 57 has side edges thereof engageable with respective upper edges ofthe side walls 53 and 54 and a forward edge engageable with the supportor tie member 56 for supporting the lid 57 thereon. A handle 59 ismounted on the lid 57 and is adapted to be engaged by an operator of thepower rake 1 for opening the receptacle 50 to permit removable of thedebris therefrom.

It is desirable to provide a removable container 60 within thereceptacle 50 for receiving and storing debris therein. The removablecontainer 60 preferably has a shape corresponding to the shape of theinterior of the receptacle 50 and has a cuff portion adapted to engageexterior surfaces of the bottom wall 52, side walls 53 and 54, and thesupport or tie member 56, whereby the lid 57 will engage same to holdthe removable container 60 in position within the receptacle 50.

It is desirable to provide means to retain the cuff portion of theremovable container 60 in engagement with the exterior surfaces of thebottom wall 52, side walls 53 and 54, and the support or tie member 56,therefore, .a pair of keeper members 61 are pivotally mounted on theside walls 53 and 54 and the keeper members 61 are movable intoengagement with the cuff portion of the removable container 60 and holdsame in clamped engagement with respective portions of the receptacle50.

In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior surfaces of the bottomwallv52 and the lid 57 each have an outwardly extending rib 62 thereonwith the ribs 62 having a generally curved exterior surface and adaptedto permit the respective keeper member 61 to move thereover to hold thecuff portion in engagement with the receptacle 50.

An inwardly directed flow of air has been found to be effective inmoving debris from the teeth or tines 31 and into the removablecontainer 60 within the receptacle50. Therefore, a vacuum unit 63 isoperatively connected to the motor 5 and a tubular member 64 extendsfrom the vacuum unit 63 and through the rear wall of the receptacle 50.The removable container is adapted to be secured in position on an endof the .tubular member 64 which preferably has a suitable screen orfilter member (not shown) thereon to prevent debris from entering thevacuum unit 63.

It is desirable to selectively controloperation of the vacuum unit 63,therefore, a suitable switch 65 is mounted on the vacuum unit 63 andoperatively connected thereto for activating the vacuum unit 63 when theswitch 65 is moved to an on position.

Using a power rake having the receptacle 50 thereon is substantiallysimilar to using the power rake shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except thatdebris dislodged by the teeth or tines 31 is moved into the receptacle50 in response to an inwardly directed flow of air through the entrance51 in response to activation of the vacuum unit 63 by the switch 65.Movement of the power rake having the receptacle 50 thereon issubstantially similar to movement of the power rake illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2 except that it will be preferable to use the lever 23 foreffecting forward and reverse rotation of the wheels 6 and 7 after thereceptacle 50 is substantially filled with debris and particularlydebris which is matted and heavy with moisture.

FIGS. 8 to 10 inclusive, illustrate a modified power rake which includesa frame 81 having a combined rake portion 82 and handle portion 83supported on the frame 81. A motor 84 is mounted on the frame 81 and isoperatively connected to ground engaging wheels 85 and 86 which arerotatably supported on the frame 81 and in vertical spaced relationbelow the rake portion 82. The modified power rake 80 includes a pair ofrear wheels 87 and 88 supported on the frame 81 and spaced rearwardlyfrom the wheels 85 and 86 respectively and in vertical spaced relationabove the ground engaging surface of each of the wheels 85 and 86whereby the rake portion 82 will be spaced above the ground surface 9when the rear wheels 87 and 88 are in engagement with the ground surface9.

The frame 81 is substantially similar to the frame 2 and rotatablysupports an axle'89 having the ground engaging wheels 85 and 86 mountedon respective opposite end portions thereof.

The motor 84 is substantially similar to the motor 5 and has a suitablegear reduction unit 90 operatively connected thereto and which isoperative to effect rotation of a driven shaft 91 extending from thegear reduction unit 90 and operatively connected to the axle 89 bysuitable motion transmitting means to thereby effect rotation of theaxle 89 and the ground engaging wheels 85 and 86.

The combined rake portion 82 and handle portion 83 is illustrated ashaving a bifurcated handle portion 83 defined by a pair of arms 92 and93 which are laterally spaced and substantially parallel. Upper ends ofthe arms 92 and 93 are joined together by a bar 94 adapted to be held bya person using the modified power rake 80. Other or lower ends of thearms 92 and 93 are joined together and form a shaft 95 having the rakeportion 82 removably mounted thereon.

The rake portion illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a mountingportion 96 removably secured on an end of the shaft 95, as by a pair ofclamps 97 and 98. A pair of arms 99 and 100 extend from the mountingportion 96 and have the forward ends thereof connected by a connectingmember 101 extending therebetween to define a substantially rigid unit.The connecting member 101 has a plurality of spaced teeth or tines 102depending therefrom and adapted to engage the ground surface 9 and movedebris. It is preferable that the teeth or tines 102 be substantiallyrigid members.

The combined rake portion 82 and handle portion 83 is supported on theframe 81 and in the illustrated structure, a pair of standards 103 and104 each have lower ends thereof suitably secured to the frame 81, as bywelding, and upper ends suitably secured or connected to the arms 92 and93 respectively, of the handle portion 83, as by welding. It isdesirable that the connection between the handle portion 83 and thestandards 103 and 104 be substantially rigid, therefore, suitable braces105 and 106 extend between the standards 103 and 104 and the arms 92 and93 respectively of the handle portion 83.

The rear wheels 87 and 88 are supported on the frame 81 in any suitablemanner, such as a pair of arms 107 and 108 secured to and extendingrearwardly from respective opposite ends of the frame 81 and having therespective wheels 87 and 88 rotatably mounted thereon.

FIGS. 10 illustrates another form of a removable rake portion 110 havinga mounting portion 111 suitably mounted on the end of the shaft 95, asby the clips 97 and 98. The rake portion 110 has a plurality of flexibletines 12 connected to and diverging from the mounting portion 111. Atie-bar 113 is suitably secured to the flexible tines 112 adjacentforward ends thereof. In the illustrated structure, the flexible tines112 each have arcuate end portions 114 extending forwardly from thetie-bar 113 and adapted to engage the ground surface 9.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and describedcertain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specificforms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

I claim:

1. A power rake comprising:

a. a frame;

b. a handle mounted on said frame and extending rearwardly therefrom;

c. a rake mounted on said frame and extending forwardly therefrom, saidrake having a pair of spaced arms extending generally forwardly fromsaid frame and a connecting member extending between said arms, saidconnecting member having a plurality of spaced tines dependingtherefrom;

d. first ground engaging means rotatably mounted on said frame andpositioned between said handle and said rake, said first ground engagingmeans having ground engaging portions positioned in vertical spacedrelation below said tines of said rake;

e. drive means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to saidfirst ground engaging means for effecting rotation of said first groundengaging means; and second ground engaging means rotatably mounted onsaid handle, said second ground engaging means being spaced rearwardlyof said first ground engaging means, said second ground engaging meanshaving ground engaging portions positioned in vertical spaced relationabove said ground engaging portions of said first ground engaging meanswhereby said rake is spaced from a ground surface when said groundengaging portions of said second ground engaging means is in engagementwith the ground surface.

2. A power rake as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. material receiving means mounted on said frame and having an entranceadjacent said connecting member of said rake, said material receivingmeans having wall portions defining a receptacle and a lid hingedlymounted thereon;

b. means operatively connected to said material receiving means and tosaid drive means for effecting an inwardly directed flow of air intosaid material receiving means, said means for effecting an inwardlydirected flow of air into said material receiving means including avacuum unit and a tubular member extending between said vacuum unit andsaid receptacle;

c. a removable container mounted in said receptacle for receiving andstoring debris, said container being adapted to be secured in positionon an end of said tubular member, said container having portionsengageable with the wall portions defining the receptacle adjacent theentrance thereto;

d. means on said receptacle removably engageable with said container forremovably securing same in said receptacle; and

e. contol means operatively connected to said vacuum unit forselectively activating same.

3. A power rake as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said first ground engaging means comprises a plurality of supportingwheels each having a peripheral ground engaging surface; and

b. said second ground engaging means comprises an elongated rolleradapted to movably support the power rake when the peripheral groundengaging surface of each of said supporting wheels is spaced above theground surface, said roller having a peripheral ground engaging surfacepositioned above the peripheral ground engaging surface of each of saidsupporting wheels when said rake is in operative position.

'4. A power rake comprising:

a. a frame;

b. a handle mounted on said frame and extending rearwardly therefrom;

c. a rake mounted on said frame and extending forwardly therefrom andadapted to engage a ground surface, said rake having a pair of spacedarms extending generally fowardly from said frame and a connectingmember extending between said arms, said connecting member having aplurality of spaced tines depending therefrom;

d. first ground engaging means rotatably mounted on said frame andpositioned between said handle and said rake, said first ground engagingmeans having respective peripheral ground engaging surfaces positionedin vertical spaced relation below said tines, said frame being pivotallysupported relative to said first ground engaging means;

e. reversible drive means mounted on said frame and operativelyconnected to said first ground engaging means for selectively effectingforward and reverse rotation of said first ground engaging means;

f. rotatably mounted second ground engaging means depending from saidhandle, said second ground engaging means having a peripheral groundengaging surface spaced rearwardly of said first ground engaging means,said second ground engaging means having the peripheral ground engagingsurface thereof normally positioned in vertical spaced relation abovethe peripheral ground engaging surfaces of said first ground engagingmeans whereby said second ground engaging means is adapted to supportthe power rake when said first ground engaging means is spaced above theground surface by downward pressure on said handle;

g. material receiving means mounted on said frame and having an entranceadjacent said connecting member of said rake, said material receivingmeans having wall portions defining a receptacle and a lid hingedlymounted thereon, said receptacle having a bottom wall adapted to beadjacent the ground surface when said rake is in engagement with theground surface;

h. means operatively connected to said material receiving means and tosaid drive means for effecting an inwardly directed flow of air intosaid material receiving means, said means for effecting an inwardlydirected flow of air into said material receiving means including avacuum unit and a tubular member extending between said vacuum unit andsaid receptacle;

. a removable container mounted in said receptacle for receiving andstoring debris, said container being adapted to be secured in positionon an end of said tubular member, said container having a cuff portionengageable with an exterior surface of the wall portions defining thereceptacle adjacent the entrance thereto; and

j. control means operatively connected to said drive means forselectively activating same and for activating said means for effectingan inwardly directed flow of air into said material receiving means.

5. A power rake as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. said receptacle has movable means mounted thereon for engagement withsaid container for removably securing same in said receptacle;

b. said lid and said bottom wall of said receptacle each have anoutwardly extending rib thereon; and

c. said ribs each have an exterior surface adapted to permit saidmovable means to move thereover to hold said cuff portion of saidremovable container in engagement with the exterior surface of the wallportions defining said receptacle.

1. A power rake comprising: a. a frame; b. a handle mounted on saidframe and extending rearwardly therefrom; c. a rake mounted on saidframe and extending forwardly therefrom, said rake having a pair ofspaced arms extending generally forwardly from said frame and aconnecting member extending between said arms, said connecting memberhaving a plurality of spaced tines depending therefrom; d. first groundengaging means rotatably mounted on said frame and positioned betweensaid handle and said rake, said first ground engaging means havingground engaging portions positioned in vertical spaced relation belowsaid tines of said rake; e. drive means mounted on said frame andoperatively connected to said first ground engaging means for effectingrotation of said first ground engaging means; and f. second groundengaging means rotatably mounted on said handle, said second groundengaging means being spaced rearwardly of said first ground engagingmeans, said second ground engaging means having ground engaging portionspositioned in vertical spaced relation above said ground engagingportions of said first ground engaging means whereby said rake is spacedfrom a ground surface when said ground engaging portions of said secondground engaging means is in engagement with the ground surface.
 2. Apower rake as set forth in claim 1 including: a. material receivingmeans mounted on said frame and having an entrance adjacent saidconnecting member of said rake, said material receiving means havingwall portions defining a receptacle and a lid hingedly mounted thereon;b. means operatively connected to said material receiving means and tosaid drive means for effecting an inwardly directed flow of air intosaid material receiving means, said means for effecting an inwardlydirected flow of air into said material receiving means including avacuum unit and a tubular member extending between said vacuum unit andsaid receptacle; c. a removable container mounted in said receptacle forreceiving and storing debris, said container being adapted to be securedin position on an end of said tubular member, said container havingportions engageable with the wall portions defining the receptacleadjacent the entrance thereto; d. means on said receptacle removablyengageable with said container for removably securing same in saidreceptacle; and e. contol means operaTively connected to said vacuumunit for selectively activating same.
 3. A power rake as set forth inclaim 1 wherein: a. said first ground engaging means comprises aplurality of supporting wheels each having a peripheral ground engagingsurface; and b. said second ground engaging means comprises an elongatedroller adapted to movably support the power rake when the peripheralground engaging surface of each of said supporting wheels is spacedabove the ground surface, said roller having a peripheral groundengaging surface positioned above the peripheral ground engaging surfaceof each of said supporting wheels when said rake is in operativeposition.
 4. A power rake comprising: a. a frame; b. a handle mounted onsaid frame and extending rearwardly therefrom; c. a rake mounted on saidframe and extending forwardly therefrom and adapted to engage a groundsurface, said rake having a pair of spaced arms extending generallyfowardly from said frame and a connecting member extending between saidarms, said connecting member having a plurality of spaced tinesdepending therefrom; d. first ground engaging means rotatably mounted onsaid frame and positioned between said handle and said rake, said firstground engaging means having respective peripheral ground engagingsurfaces positioned in vertical spaced relation below said tines, saidframe being pivotally supported relative to said first ground engagingmeans; e. reversible drive means mounted on said frame and operativelyconnected to said first ground engaging means for selectively effectingforward and reverse rotation of said first ground engaging means; f.rotatably mounted second ground engaging means depending from saidhandle, said second ground engaging means having a peripheral groundengaging surface spaced rearwardly of said first ground engaging means,said second ground engaging means having the peripheral ground engagingsurface thereof normally positioned in vertical spaced relation abovethe peripheral ground engaging surfaces of said first ground engagingmeans whereby said second ground engaging means is adapted to supportthe power rake when said first ground engaging means is spaced above theground surface by downward pressure on said handle; g. materialreceiving means mounted on said frame and having an entrance adjacentsaid connecting member of said rake, said material receiving meanshaving wall portions defining a receptacle and a lid hingedly mountedthereon, said receptacle having a bottom wall adapted to be adjacent theground surface when said rake is in engagement with the ground surface;h. means operatively connected to said material receiving means and tosaid drive means for effecting an inwardly directed flow of air intosaid material receiving means, said means for effecting an inwardlydirected flow of air into said material receiving means including avacuum unit and a tubular member extending between said vacuum unit andsaid receptacle; i. a removable container mounted in said receptacle forreceiving and storing debris, said container being adapted to be securedin position on an end of said tubular member, said container having acuff portion engageable with an exterior surface of the wall portionsdefining the receptacle adjacent the entrance thereto; and j. controlmeans operatively connected to said drive means for selectivelyactivating same and for activating said means for effecting an inwardlydirected flow of air into said material receiving means.
 5. A power rakeas set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said receptacle has movable meansmounted thereon for engagement with said container for removablysecuring same in said receptacle; b. said lid and said bottom wall ofsaid receptacle each have an outwardly extending rib thereon; and c.said ribs each have an exterior surface adapted to permit said movablemeans to move thereover to hold said cuff portion of said removablecontainer in engagemeNt with the exterior surface of the wall portionsdefining said receptacle.